Letter

GMC and children

Professor McIntosh's letter (26 May) suggests it is ironic that paediatricians have been criticised for not doing enough to protect children, while at the same time the GMC erases Dr Southall from the medical register. This argument is oversimplified and misleading.

Friday's ruling regarded the professional conduct of an individual doctor whose behaviour was rightly criticised by Mr Justice Blake. It is actually extremely rare for a paediatrician to appear before a GMC panel in connection with child protection work. Since 2004, panels have considered a very wide range of types of cases, involving more than 1,000 doctors. Only three cases could reasonably be said to have been about paediatricians involved in child protection.

Paediatricians should not be deterred by this very small number of cases from fulfilling their duties in relation to children. Doctors deserve, and have, the support of the public and their regulator in this extremely difficult area. Paul PhilipDeputy chief executive, General Medical Council

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